by pvincent342
http://www.tauntongazette.com/news/x179 ... ail-tracks
Taunton —
The state’s $100 million agreement with CSX Transportation to take ownership of railroad tracks leading from Taunton to New Bedford and Fall River has come before a federal board for review, a development that Patrick administration officials hail as a major step toward expanding rail service.
“It’s another milestone,” South Coast Rail project manager Kristina Egan said.
The agreement is seen as a critical component of a $1-2 billion plan to provide commuter rail service between Boston and the South Coast. State officials expect the comprehensive agreement between the freight carrier and the state to clear the federal Surface Transportation Board before the scheduled closing on the property in May.
“This filing is a federal review to make sure that the transfer of property holds freight harmless,” Egan said.
Since the state’s contract with CSX already carries that provision, the state has filed a motion for the review to be dismissed.
“This agreement is good for commuters, businesses and the Massachusetts economy,” Lt. Gov. Tim Murray said in a statement his office released Wednesday.
In addition to expanding service to the South Coast, the plan will also allow for increased rail service between Worcester and Boston, state officials said.
Another component of the deal calls for Cape Cod-based Mass Coastal to take over from CSX as the freight carrier in southeastern Massachusetts. Under the agreement, the state will pay CSX $40 million in the spring for the tracks running from Taunton to Fall River and from Taunton to New Bedford.
“We are pleased that we are making real progress, working with Lt. Gov. Tim Murray and the entire Patrick-Murray administration,” CSX Chairman, President and CEO Michael Ward said in a statement. “Commonwealth residents, CSX and its customers will benefit from this transaction, which will lead to additional commuter service and alleviate congestion on Massachusetts highways.”
The proposed rail extension has also received support from U.S. Sen. John Kerry, Congressman Barney Frank and Congressman James McGovern.
The Army Corps of Engineers, which is currently reviewing potential routes, could have an environmental impact review published by June. At that time the state will announce its preferred route, with a public hearing to follow.
The state has said the South Coast Rail project is still on track to open for passenger service in 2016 if diesel engines are chosen, or by 2017 if electric trains are used. The price for the proposed rail link varies according to route and other factors. The route that would go directly south from Stoughton to Taunton before branching off to New Bedford and Fall River would cost an estimated $1.4 billion if diesel engines are used, or $1.9 billion with electric trains.
State Rep. David Flynn, D-Bridgewater, the Dean of the House, has questioned the state’s ability to fund the South Coast Rail project.
“It is my considered opinion, based upon my many years of service in the House and the Executive Branch of state government, that this state is simply unable to fund this project,” Flynn wrote in a Nov. 19 letter to Raynham and Easton selectmen. “The state is broke. And we will be, to coin a phrase, broker next year when we begin budget deliberations for Fiscal 2011 with a budget deficit of close to $3 billion.”
Egan said the state expects to hear word on its federal stimulus grant application for the rail project in January or February.
A potential route that would provide a link between the existing Attleboro line and Taunton, then go on to New Bedford and Fall River, could cost more than $2 billion. Using buses in a dedicated lane instead of trains would cost less than $1 billion. A proposed route that would build off the existing Middleboro line was eliminated from consideration earlier this year.
Taunton Mayor Charles Crowley has spoken in favor of the direct Stoughton route, but called a proposed variation of that route, which would send trains through the Whittenton neighborhood and create 14 street crossings in Taunton, an “abomination” that would cause traffic nightmares for the city.
Taunton —
The state’s $100 million agreement with CSX Transportation to take ownership of railroad tracks leading from Taunton to New Bedford and Fall River has come before a federal board for review, a development that Patrick administration officials hail as a major step toward expanding rail service.
“It’s another milestone,” South Coast Rail project manager Kristina Egan said.
The agreement is seen as a critical component of a $1-2 billion plan to provide commuter rail service between Boston and the South Coast. State officials expect the comprehensive agreement between the freight carrier and the state to clear the federal Surface Transportation Board before the scheduled closing on the property in May.
“This filing is a federal review to make sure that the transfer of property holds freight harmless,” Egan said.
Since the state’s contract with CSX already carries that provision, the state has filed a motion for the review to be dismissed.
“This agreement is good for commuters, businesses and the Massachusetts economy,” Lt. Gov. Tim Murray said in a statement his office released Wednesday.
In addition to expanding service to the South Coast, the plan will also allow for increased rail service between Worcester and Boston, state officials said.
Another component of the deal calls for Cape Cod-based Mass Coastal to take over from CSX as the freight carrier in southeastern Massachusetts. Under the agreement, the state will pay CSX $40 million in the spring for the tracks running from Taunton to Fall River and from Taunton to New Bedford.
“We are pleased that we are making real progress, working with Lt. Gov. Tim Murray and the entire Patrick-Murray administration,” CSX Chairman, President and CEO Michael Ward said in a statement. “Commonwealth residents, CSX and its customers will benefit from this transaction, which will lead to additional commuter service and alleviate congestion on Massachusetts highways.”
The proposed rail extension has also received support from U.S. Sen. John Kerry, Congressman Barney Frank and Congressman James McGovern.
The Army Corps of Engineers, which is currently reviewing potential routes, could have an environmental impact review published by June. At that time the state will announce its preferred route, with a public hearing to follow.
The state has said the South Coast Rail project is still on track to open for passenger service in 2016 if diesel engines are chosen, or by 2017 if electric trains are used. The price for the proposed rail link varies according to route and other factors. The route that would go directly south from Stoughton to Taunton before branching off to New Bedford and Fall River would cost an estimated $1.4 billion if diesel engines are used, or $1.9 billion with electric trains.
State Rep. David Flynn, D-Bridgewater, the Dean of the House, has questioned the state’s ability to fund the South Coast Rail project.
“It is my considered opinion, based upon my many years of service in the House and the Executive Branch of state government, that this state is simply unable to fund this project,” Flynn wrote in a Nov. 19 letter to Raynham and Easton selectmen. “The state is broke. And we will be, to coin a phrase, broker next year when we begin budget deliberations for Fiscal 2011 with a budget deficit of close to $3 billion.”
Egan said the state expects to hear word on its federal stimulus grant application for the rail project in January or February.
A potential route that would provide a link between the existing Attleboro line and Taunton, then go on to New Bedford and Fall River, could cost more than $2 billion. Using buses in a dedicated lane instead of trains would cost less than $1 billion. A proposed route that would build off the existing Middleboro line was eliminated from consideration earlier this year.
Taunton Mayor Charles Crowley has spoken in favor of the direct Stoughton route, but called a proposed variation of that route, which would send trains through the Whittenton neighborhood and create 14 street crossings in Taunton, an “abomination” that would cause traffic nightmares for the city.
